Letters come piling in … many are threatening or demands for payment.
Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo

I bought my first home 18 months ago and have since been receiving huge amounts of mail for a previous tenant – including fines for traffic violations, and what looks like information on outstanding loans. One was a threatening letter from bailiffs saying they would shortly return to remove items. We were able to resolve that one by updating the electoral roll and sending them some information. I’m worried it will happen again. RM, London

Unfortunately, there is no easy way of stemming the flow. First, contact the senders and ask them to update their records. Debt collection agencies are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure they are pursuing the correct person, but since an address is sometimes outdated, new occupants have to prove their identity to ward them off.

Agencies are obliged, under industry code of practice, to correct their database promptly and to update information held by the all-important credit reference agencies.

If they don’t, complain to the Credit Services Association if the agency is a member, or to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Credit checks are done on an individual, not an address, and bailiffs cannot enter your home by force without a warrant.

If you need help email Anna Tims at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include an address and phone number. Submission and publication are subject to our terms and conditions